Creating Beauty

As a child, I was frightened by a humongous Kissy doll. At 3, it was as big as I was and when you pulled it's hands together it made a smacking or a supposed kissing sound. I was sure it would get up and get me......making smacking sounds as it neared my bed.

Now I make dolls.....some are supposed to be scary, but most just reflect how I look at beauty. To me we have a very narrow view of what beauty is and is not. I have cerebral palsy and don't think I'm whining about it I'm not. I'm lucky my case is very mild compared to some people's. But you can pick me out as different, I walk awkwardly, but my arm and leg work correctly.....for someone with a partially paralyzed arm and leg.

I look like someone with CP is supposed to and in my way I'm attractive. I try to reflect alternative beauty in the dolls I create and so in some ways I'm still dealing with fear, but now it's not my own.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Unusual Holiday Traditions - Holland

Now, some traditions can seem odd to those who have never experienced them before. Probably why I always believed that it's important to travel and read as much history as possible.

From what I've read Sinterklaas' black helpers are either just guys covered in soot, the chimney thing, slaves or servants. I guess Americans aren't the only ones who try to revise embarrassing history.

From the recent images I found when writing this, free Black Peter signs show up on Dec 5th with Sinterklaas now. So I guess it's nice to know we all have holiday traditions we'd like to avoid.

One of the funniest essays on strange customs like Sinterklaas and black Peter was written and read by David Sedaris.